Remote community unites in church built from scraps
“I never thought I would see this day. This is so special for us.”
It might not look like much, but a new building – made entirely from recycled materials – in a remote Northern Territory community is the answer to the prayers of the local community.
The entire community of Manyallaluk (about 105 people), located about 100km northeast of Katherine, attended the official opening in mid-October, at which church leader Rachel Kandino said parishioners had “joy in their hearts” that the project had been completed.
“The church has been praying for this to come to pass for some time,” she said.
“It is a very important part of our community, and now we have somewhere to worship and be together.”
The church in Manyallaluk had been meeting together in parks or on basketball courts, with no shelter from the wet season or the stifling summer heat. They have long-dreamed and prayed to have a building in which to celebrate their faith.
So when the Roper Gulf Regional Council approached the residents of Manyallaluk about doing a work-for-the-dole project in their community, “it was clear that somewhere for people to worship was at the top of the wish list, so Council staff and [Community Development Project] participants decided that creating a church out of an abandoned structure was something that would provide a long-term, genuine benefit,” says Janelle Iszlaub, Community Development Project Regional Manager for the Roper Gulf Regional Council.
“The fact that members of the community who were not directly involved in the project did everything they could to assist proves how important and valuable an asset the church is for Manyallaluk,” says Iszlaub.
Using salvaged corrugated iron and security screens, as wall panelling to shield the congregation from the elements, the church also boasts handmade pews and a pulpit, on which permanently rests a bible translated into Kriol.
When the red ribbon was cut to declare the church officially open, one Manyallaluk resident broke down in tears, saying, “I never thought I would see this day. This is so special for us.”
CDP Senior Employment Supervisor Sommer Meadows said, “It might not be much to look at for some, but this is a place of worship – this is a church.”
“I am just so proud of the men who worked so hard to build this for the Manyallaluk community.
“This church is what people here have prayed for for so long, and the men and community have been able to work together to make it happen.”
Pray
Some prayer points to help
Pray for the residents of Manyallaluk that their church will be a place of great joy and praise for Jesus.